10 October 2008
Institution of Revd Jayne Shepherd as Vicar of St Cross Church Knutsford.
On Wednesday 8 October the Lord Bishop of Chester, Rt Revd Peter Forster, The Archdeacon of Macclesfield, Venerable Richard Gillings and the Rural Dean of Knutsford Deanery, Revd Canon Professor Roger Yates led the service of institution of Revd Jayne Shepherd as the new vicar of St Cross Church.
The service formally introduced Jayne to her church and the community. During the service Jayne made oaths to give assurance that as a priest she believes, speaks and acts in the way a Christian minister should, and that she is committed to minister in the Church of England.
In the Institution, the Bishop formally recognised that Jayne is called of God to this new work and commissioned her for it. The "official" welcome symbolised acceptance into the fellowship of the Christian community, including the Deanery and other local churches, and the wider community of the parish.
In the act of dedication and in the prayers the priest and people together committed themselves to a shared vision and partnership in ministry and worship.
In the joyful celebration we acknowledged that God calls us and enables us by his Spirit to serve him, in thankful obedience for his love to us in Jesus Christ.
Friends, relatives and former colleagues joined Jayne and parishioners of St Cross at the service and for the refreshments afterwards. It was a very joyful occasion.
Posted by Julie Withers